Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 3 December
December 3, 2021
Colleagues
A relatively short piece from me this week, in contrast to my longer musings about the spirit of public service last week.
This week, I am making a call to arms about vaccines. I’ve been reflecting deeply with my exec colleagues about why our COVID vaccine, COVID booster and ‘flu vaccination rates amongst our staff are so low. I have concluded there are three reasons why I am asking all of you to get your vaccines booked and done, as soon as possible:
Firstly, there is the clinical and scientific rationale, which is well rehearsed and all over the news, as it has been now for over a year. The evidence is clear and statistically significant. COVID and influenza vaccines may not stop you from contracting the viruses, but they are more likely to reduce your chances of transmitting it to a loved one or a patient and it is more likely to stop you from experiencing the worst symptoms of each, which can result in acute illness and death. Why would you not get the COVID and ‘flu vaccines, then?
Second, there is the issue of our competitive nature. We know we are the friendliest and best NHS Trust in the Black Country. Yet our vaccination rates of our staff, lag far behind those in Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton. We don’t want to be bottom of this league table, do we? Why would you not get the vaccines, then?
Finally, there is the issue of the national policy on making the COVID vaccine mandatory amongst front line, patient facing NHS staff. Believe me, this IS going to happen and becomes policy with effect from 1st April 2022. We are awaiting national guidance, but have started the process of identifying those staff members whose vaccination status is not known, so we can consider the support they may need as well as assessing the risks to running a service without them. I’m sure you do not want to worry about the uncertainty of having to move from the role you love and the challenges that will then come when considering redeployment options where they exist. On this basis, why would you not get the vaccine, then?
Why would you not get the vaccines, then? Please ask yourselves that question.
Have a good week
Richard